4 Easy Ways to be a more Consistent Ballstriker: Step 3

October 05, 2011

1 of 4Bob Atkins

Step 3: Forget About Your Spine Angle
WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT
Can you really think about your spine when you
swing? Even if you can, it's doubtful you have
the muscle necessary to actually maintain a
perfect spine angle.
THE PROOF YOU NEED
Take the glute-muscle strength test. (Click here for video.) Lie down on your back and then pull your left
foot toward your rear end as shown below. Lift
your right leg and your rear end off the ground
and hold for a count of 10.
This test gauges the strength of your glutes (the
muscles in your rear end).You need these to
stay in your posture on your downswing and
keep your spine angle intact.
TEST: FAILED
If your right hip sags or your right hamstring
begins to cramp...
Your glute muscles are weak and you have
no chance of properly maintaining your
spine angle.
TEST: PASSED
If you can hold your leg and rear end up
without any problems...
Your glute muscles are strong. They'll keep
your hips in place when you rotate so your
posture remains unchanged.

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2 of 4Bob Atkins

If you failed the test, you'll look like this ...

3 of 4Bob Atkins

After adjustments, you'll look like this ...

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4 of 4Schecter Lee

How to get
away with
losing your
posture: Swing slower
and more with
your arms
Video: Test (and improve) your posture with overhead deep squats.
1. Practice
with a
split grip
Make practice swings
without a ball with your
left hand on the grip and
your right hand just below
the grip on the shaft. Focus
on pulling the club into
impact with your left hand
and rotating the face to
square with your right
hand. That's the proper
hand action you need to
deliver a solid blow.
Why the arm swing works
An arms-dominated swing
generates less force, which in turn
makes it easier for you to maintain
your posture when you swing. You
might think this will cost you
yards, but you'll actually hit the ball
farther because you'll be delivering
the club solidly into the back of the
ball on the proper plane.
2. Make swings
with your feet
together
You can hit balls with this
drill. Take your regular
address, but with your feet
together. After a few swings,
you'll learn to slow down your
swing to a level that allows
you to keep your balance. The
speed that allows you to catch
the ball flush without losing
balance is the one you should
use on the course.
Step 4: Release With Your Chest